Combination bottle and system

ABSTRACT

A combination bottle and system for devising combination bottles for the retention of liquids and other pliable items is provided. A base container unit with an open mouth is configured to retain liquids and exhibits a base unit perimeter lip with an attachment configuration and the base container unit may be combined with various capacity adding units which have perimeter lips with a variety of attachment configurations that allow attachment between the base unit and the capacity-adding unit(s). The base container unit may be combined either alone or with various numbers of capacity adding units with one or more top units that have top unit perimeter lips with top unit attachment configurations mateable with the various constituent members of the combination bottle system. Various top units are provided which exhibit functional end selected from the group of: sippy cup functional end, straw functional end, and nipple functional end. By varying the size of perimeter lips and projection aspect, necks may be created in constituted bottles providing convenient hand-holds. Some embodiments of the present invention are also directed to kits that include various bottle components suitable for particular applications. Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for assembling a combination bottle from a combination bottle system and changing the capacity (volume) of the combination bottle “on-the-go” by interchanging components of the combination bottle system.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/639,710, filed Mar. 5, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to combination bottle systems that provide flexible capacity and function for containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of styles and configurations of bottles and containers are used to hold liquids and foods ranging, for example, from baby formula and milk to consumables oriented for more adult tastes such as, for example, nutritional or energy drinks consumed on long commutes, vacation shores or the high vistas of the Rocky Mountains.

Millions of bottles are discarded each year. For example, of the large variety of bottles used in tending growing babies and children, approximately 70 million end in landfills across the US each year. A part of this disposal load results when babies “outgrow” both the size and function of their bottles. For example, they outgrow their nipple-topped bottles and move up the maturity ladder to what are often called “sippy cups” and then finally to bottles topped by lids configured to securely include a straw.

Fixed capacities also reduce the utility of bottles and containers. Small babies can more readily hold a smaller bottle while the grasp as well as appetite of large children is better suited to bottles of greater capacity.

Hikers sometimes include a mix of bottles in their equipment to allow adaptation to the dry conditions of desert hiking with 1500 cc water bottles while in cooler mountain environments they may employ standard 1 liter bottles. Yet, for some foods and recreational drinks, a 1 liter capacity bottle may be too much and a separate smaller bottle is required for smaller amounts of drink and food if valuable pack space is to be conserved.

Further, many bottles are still constructed from potentially mutagenic materials that may raise the risk of some cancers and birth defects.

What is needed, therefore, is a bottle and container system that provides capacity and function flexibility in an integrated system constructed from safe materials and which adapts to the age, abilities and interests of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for combination bottle systems that provide flexible capacity and function for containers.

Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to a combination bottle system having a base unit that is combined with various capacity-adding units and/or top units having various functional ends to provide a combination bottle and system of wide flexibility and use. Various capacities may be devised by combining one or multiple capacity-adding units to a base unit while various functions for the combined bottle may be implemented through various functional ends for the employed top unit. In some embodiments, combinations of attachment configurations of various perimeter lips of the constituent bottle units create neck features in devised combination bottles. Various configurations of attachment configurations may be combined to impose particular stacking or combination rules on constituted combination bottles devised from various embodiments of the combination bottle systems provided.

Some embodiments of the present invention are also directed to a combination bottle system includes various bottle components that are interchangeable with each other.

Some embodiments of the present invention are also directed to kits that include various bottle components suitable for particular applications.

Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for assembling a combination bottle from a combination bottle system and changing the capacity (volume) of the combination bottle “on-the-go” by interchanging components of the combination bottle system.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more thorough understanding of the present invention, and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A depicts an exemplar base unit employed in a combination bottle system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 1B-1F each depict various example configurations for functional ends of interchangeable top units that may be employed with various embodiments of a combination bottle system in accordance with the present invention to provide different functionality to the combination bottle system by replacing one top unit within the combination bottle system with another top unit having a different functional end;

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C each depict various example attachment configurations employed in a top unit embodiment for use with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment from a combination bottle system employing multiple capacity adding units and a coffee style top unit;

FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment from a combination bottle system employing an open lip top unit;

FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment from a combination bottle system;

FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment from a combination bottle system employing a sippy cup top unit;

FIG. 7 illustrates a few example attachment configurations employed in an embodiment of a combination bottle;

FIG. 8 depicts yet another embodiment of a combination bottle;

FIG. 9 depicts a combination bottle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in which a double walled construction is employed by various units of the combination bottle;

FIG. 10 depicts another embodiment from a combination bottle system having locking components;

FIG. 11 depicts another embodiment from a combination bottle system in which a capacity adding unit includes a design element;

FIG. 12 depicts a combination bottle system embodied as a kit that includes compatible and interchangeable parts to form a variety of bottle combinations having different functions and capacities;

FIG. 13 depicts another combination bottle system embodied as a kit that includes compatible and interchangeable parts to form a variety of bottle combinations having different functions and capacities; and

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary method of assembling a combination bottle system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for combination bottle systems that provide flexible capacity and function for containers. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, for example, a baby bottle can be transformed into a sippy cup. The sippy cup can be transformed into a straw bottle. The effective life of the bottle is extended from approximately 1 year to 4 years. In the old way of doing things, for example, parents might buy 16 baby bottles and throw them out when the baby stopped using baby bottles as a toddler. Then the parents would buy 10 sippy cups for the toddler and throw them out when the toddler stopped using sippy cups as a child. Then the parents would buy 10 straw bottles for the child, and so on. Embodiments of the present invention enable parents to simply buy a baby bottle and then buy conversion kits to change it as the child grows older.

Embodiments of the present invention can further expand the life of the bottle beyond the straw bottle. The bottle itself can be separated into three main, interchangeable components: a base unit, a ring or capacity adding unit, and then a top unit. The base unit as used herein refers to the bottom-most unit of the combination bottle in assembly. The top unit as used herein refers to the top-most unit of the combination bottle in assembly, including and caps that may be part of the functional end. The base unit does not need to change from bottle to bottle. One or more capacity adding units can be added between the top unit and the base unit to increase the capacity or volume of the bottle assembly, for example, from 200 mL to infinite, depending on the need or use. The top unit includes a functional end that adapts the bottle to a particular use, such as baby bottle nipples, baby spouts, straw tops, coffee tops, spray nozzles, sports top, flip top and on and on. The top units can be interchangeable and substituted for each other to provide variable function for the bottle assembly. The capacity adding units can be added or removed to provide variable capacity for the bottle assembly. Multiple components can be kept with the user of the combination bottle system (for example in a carrying bag, diaper bag, gym bag, purse, backpack, etc.) to provide the ability to make rapid “on-the-go” changes to the bottle assembly as the user's needs change (e.g., a coffee cup can be quickly changed into a sports bottle having a large capacity).

The bottle components can be made of plastic, stainless steel, or any material suitable for holding beverage or food items that are intended to be ingested. The bottle components can be single colors or multiple colors. The bottle components can be single walled or double-walled for insulation and/or ruggedization. For example, the capacity adding units can be made available in multiple different colors that can be added to the other bottle components to personalize the bottle assembly. Different colored bottle components can be used to indicate the contents of the bottle (e.g., orange juice=orange, apple juice=yellow, milk=white, water=blue). Different colored bottle components can be used to indicate the user of the bottle (e.g., blue for one child, green for another child, yellow for a parent). Different color bottle components can be used to indicate capacity. For example, a blue capacity adding unit can indicate that the capacity adding unit adds 50 mL of additional volume to the bottle assembly; a green, 100 mL; a red, 200 mL; and so on. If the user needs to add 300 mL, the user can quickly grab a red capacity adding unit (200 mL) and a green capacity adding unit (100 mL). The different colored bottle components can be combined so that the bottle displays the user's school or team colors.

The bottle components can include other design elements such as words or logos. In one example, a bottle could be used by a boy from childhood to adulthood. As he gets older and his interests change, instead of buying new bottle, he can just replace a capacity adding unit with one design element with another capacity adding unit have a different design element (e.g., Thomas the Tank Engine as a toddler, a favorite superhero as a young boy, favorite sports team as an older boy, high school logo as a high school student, college logo as college student, company logo as an employee, etc.). Further, as bottle components are damaged or worn out, an individual bottle component can be replaced (or perhaps repaired) instead of discarding and replacing the entire bottle.

The capacity adding units attach and secure to each other, and to the base units and the top units, so that the bottle assembly does not come open and leak. In some embodiments of the present invention, the capacity adding units can screw and snap into place for easy assembly and prevention of unintentional disassembly. Users can be required operate a release mechanism (e.g., push a button) to then unscrew the levels of the bottle components. Such an embodiment would prevent the bottle from accidentally coming apart and leaking when being carried in a bag. The release mechanism can also be adapted to be inoperable by babies and young children to child-proof the bottle so that a baby or toddler cannot disassemble the bottle and cause a spill.

Some embodiments of the present invention are also directed to a combination bottle system includes various bottle components that are interchangeable with each other. For example, a user can go to a store and mix-and-match compatible bottle components to design a combination bottle system that has the variable capacity and interchangeable functional ends so that a user can change the bottle capacity and configuration for different uses on-the-go. For example, a user may buy an 8 ounce base unit, an 8 ounce capacity adding unit, a 16 ounce capacity adding unit, a top unit having a spill-resistant beverage lid for use in a car, a top unit having an open beverage lid, and a top unit have a sports bottle functional end. In the morning, the user configures the bottle for the morning commute by putting the spill-resistant beverage lid on the 8 ounce base unit and filling it with coffee for the morning commute to work. At work, the user adds the 8 ounce capacity adding unit to the bottle assembly and replaces the spill-resistant beverage lid with an open beverage lid so she can keep a 16 ounce beverage container on her desk while she works during the day. In the evening, when leaving the office, the user adds the 16 ounce capacity adding unit to the bottle assembly and replaces the open beverage lid with the sports bottle functional end so that she can have a 32 ounce sports bottle filled with water while she works out at the gym.

Some embodiments of the present invention are also directed to kits that include various bottle components suitable for particular applications. For example, a baby shower gift kit could include bottle components to make various combinations of baby bottles, sippy cups, and straw bottles. A sports kit could include bottle components to change the capacity and functional ends for commons sports, such as running and cycling.

Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to a club that users can join to buy new tops or get new colors or designs of bottle components.

FIG. 1A depicts aspects of an exemplar bottle system 10. As shown in FIG. 1A, base unit 20 is a container having capacity 21 and an open end 22 with a perimeter lip 24 configured with an attachment configuration 26 _(X). Base unit 20 may be any of a variety of configurations, such as, for example, round, square, faceted or oval. Attachment configuration 26 _(X) is preferably, although not necessarily, round. While attachment configurations, such as attachment configuration 26 _(X), is shown as threads for purposes of illustration, any attachment configuration suitable for joining base unit, the top unit, and one or more capacity adding units in a manner that prevents fluids from leaking from the bottle assembly.

Various exemplar top units are shown in FIGS. 1B-1F with each being depicted with a functional end 28. FIG. 1B shows top unit 30 ₁ having, for example, a functional end 28 that is a nipple end 32. In these figures, reference 28 refers to any functional end while particular types of functional ends are identified by their own unique reference. The top units shown FIGS. 1B-1F are interchangeable with each other. That is, any of top units shown FIGS. 1B-1F can be used in place of the other to provide different functionality to the bottle assembly.

Top unit 30 ₁ is shown having a shell 31 and a separable nipple 32 as its functional end. Top units 30 that employ separable functional ends 28 are comprised from a shell 31 and a separable functional end. In FIG. 1C, top unit 30 ₂ is shown having a functional end 28 which in this particular embodiment, is a sippy cup lip functional end 34 while in FIG. 1D, top unit 30 ₃ exhibits a functional end 28 which is a straw functional end 36 with an optional ferrule or bulb 37 to retain straw 36 in top unit 30 ₃. Top unit 30 ₄ is shown with a functional end 28 which is a push-pull access sports type functional end 29 (FIG. 1E). In FIG. 1F another functional end 28 which is a sports type functional end 29 adapted for bicycling is shown. The nipple functional end 32, sippy cup functional end 34, integrated straw functional end 36, push-pull access sports functional end 29 ₁ and flip over sports type functional end 29 ₂ are just examples of various types of functional ends 28. These examples should not be considered limiting however. It should be appreciated that functional ends 28 may be either integrated, such as shown by an integrated sippy cup functional end 34 in FIG. 1C or separable from shell 31 of top unit 30 such as is shown in FIG. 1B. It should be appreciated that as with other various functional ends, nipple functional end 32 may be separable from shell 31 or integral with top unit 30. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the top units are interchangeable with each other. That is, one top unit can be removed from the bottle assembly and replaced with another top unit. The top units have attachment configurations that enable the top units to be attached in a leakproof manner with a base unit, such as base unit 20, and/or capacity adding units, such as capacity adding unit 50. Top units, base units, and capacity adding units can be added in any number of combinations to provide combination bottle system having variable function and variable capacity when formed into a bottle assembly, or combination bottle, such as the combination bottles 60 shown in FIGS. 3-9 (some of which are shown in exploded view for purposes of illustration, but when assembled form a combination bottle). Each of the top units shown in FIGS. 1B-1F are interchangeable with the other units in a bottle assembly, including a base unit or a base unit in combination with one or more capacity adding units.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1F, top units 30 _(X) include an attachment configuration 26 _(Y) that mates with an attachment configuration 26 _(X) of base unit 20 or later shown capacity-adding unit 50. As will be appreciated, top unit 30 may have functional ends 28 that provide substantially covered tops to the combination bottle as shown in FIG. 3 for use with hot liquids while another type of functional end may merely be an open lipped functional end such as that shown in FIG. 4. It will be further appreciated that these are merely examples of a few of the many different types of top units that may be employed in a bottle system in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C depict from a top down view a base unit 20 with a semirectangular configuration devised for convenient stacking, shipment and use in suitcases or packs where space is at a premium. As those of skill will appreciate, base unit 20 as well as the capacity adding units 50 may display any of a variety of configurations such as circular or rectangular to name just a couple of examples.

Base unit 20 is depicted as configured with various exemplar types of attachment configurations 26 _(X) provided to illustrate, without limiting, a variety of example types of attachment configurations employable with various units of the combination bottle and system 10. FIG. 2A illustrates an attachment configuration 26 _(XA) in which a slot 40 is part of an attachment configuration 26 _(X) that may be part of a base unit or a capacity-adding unit 50 such as those shown in later figures. Slot 40 is configured to accept a tab from attachment configuration 26 _(Y) of a corresponding top unit 30 or capacity-adding unit 50 and a sloping channel 42 is provided to allow mating between various units of system 10. FIG. 2B depicts a screw thread attachment configuration 26 _(X) with threads 44 that are internal to the perimeter lip 24. FIG. 2C depicts a screw thread attachment configuration 26 _(XC) having threads 46 that are external on perimeter lip 24. These are just a few exemplars of attachment configurations 26 _(X) that may be used to provide one of the pair of attachment configurations 26 _(X) and 26 _(Y) that mate to provide attachment amongst base units 20, capacity-adding units 50, and top units 30.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplar combination bottle 60 with multiple capacity-adding units 50 each having capacity 52 and a first perimeter lip 24 with an upper attachment configuration 26 _(X) and a second perimeter lip 24 with a lower attachment configuration 26 _(Y). It should be appreciated that the combination bottle 60 shown in FIG. 3 is illustrated with three capacity-adding units 50 and a base unit 20 and a top unit 30 ₆ shown configured as with “coffee top” functional end 28 useful for drinking liquids that may be spilled, but a variety of top units 30 as well as capacity-adding units 50 of a variety of configurations may be employed with the depicted embodiment. It should also be appreciated that the upper and lower attachment configurations 26 _(X) and 26 _(Y) respectively, of a particular capacity-adding unit may be of the same type such as, for example, both screw configurations, or different types such as, for example, tab and slot connective configuration for upper attachment configuration 26 _(X) and screw configuration for lower attachment configuration 26 _(Y), for example. Further, the upper and lower attachment configurations of a particular capacity-adding unit may both be of the same type (e.g., screw) yet one may exhibit internal threads while the other external threads or, both upper and lower attachment configurations may exhibit the same character of threads. Further, the perimeter lips 24 of a particular capacity-adding unit 50 or base unit 20 or top unit 30 may be of either “gender” (e.g., male or projecting) or in units having two perimeter lips such as, for example, exemplar capacity-adding units 50, the perimeter lips may be of different gender (e.g., one male and the other female or accepting) or the same gender.

A variety of materials are preferably employed in the construction of preferred embodiments of combination bottle 60 including, for example, materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), copolyester, glass, polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile styrene (AS), bio based polymers, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), bisphenol A (BPA), polyester (PES), acrylic, bamboo, melamine, or polyamide (PA). As those of skill will recognize, these materials are typically less toxic and more inert than many other materials and therefore are recommended for use in bottles and containers for foods and liquids. In preferred embodiments, materials free of endocrine disrupting chemicals are used.

As shown in FIG. 3, attachment configuration 26 _(X) and attachment configuration 26 _(Y) are mateable with each other to combine the various units of combination bottle 60. There need not be uniformity between the first and second lip gender nor in the attachment configurations of said perimeter lips. In combination bottles devised from units 20, 50 and 30, for example, attachment configurations 26 _(X) and 26 _(Y) amongst each of the constituent units 20, 30 and 50 need not be of the same configurations and, in some embodiments, imposing particular types of attachment configurations 26 _(X) and 26 _(Y) will intentionally dictate the order such units are combined and that will impose a desired connection or stacking outcome in such embodiments where desired.

FIG. 4 depicts a combination bottle 60 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in which a base unit 20 is combined through the mating of attachment configuration 26 _(Y) of perimeter lip 24 of base unit 20 with attachment configuration 26 _(Y) exhibited by perimeter lip 24 of capacity-adding unit 50 and the mating of attachment configuration 26 _(Y) of the perimeter lip 24 of top unit 30 ₆ with attachment configuration 26 _(X) of capacity-adding unit 50 to create an open lipped cup variant combination bottle 60.

FIG. 4 depicts various exemplar units 20, 50 and 30 arranged to illustrate another exemplar embodiment of combination bottle 60. It should be understood that the illustrations of the present disclosure are merely exemplars and the combinations available are not in any way limited to those shown whether in combinations shown or in dimensions relative or absolute. As illustrated in FIG. 4, multiple units such as base unit 20 and capacity-adding units 50 with diameter A may be combined into a multi-piece bottle assembly (combination bottle 60) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Various interchangeable top units 30 may be chosen for employment in combination bottle 60 as those of skill will understand after appreciating this disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts a combination bottle 60 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in which a base unit 20 is combined through the mating of attachment configuration 26 _(X) of perimeter lip 24 of base unit 20 with attachment configuration 26 _(Y) exhibited by perimeter lip 24 of capacity-adding unit 50 and the mating of attachment configuration 26 _(Y) of the perimeter lip 24 of top unit 30 ₂ with attachment configuration 26 _(X) of upper perimeter lip 24 of capacity-adding unit 50 to create a larger sippy cup variant combination bottle 60 for extended car trips, for example.

FIG. 6 illustrates the combination of an exemplar base unit 20 having attachment configuration 26 _(X) on a projecting (e.g., “male”) perimeter lip 24 configured for mating to an attachment configuration 26 _(Y) configured on a corresponding lower projecting perimeter lip of a capacity adding unit 50. When the present disclosure refers to a perimeter lip without specifying that it is projecting or accepting/receiving it should be understood that such perimeter lip may be either.

In some of the provided views, attachment configuration 26 _(X) is configured on a projecting perimeter lip 24 and attachment configuration 26 _(Y) is configured on an accepting perimeter lip 24 but as those of skill will understand after appreciating this disclosure, some embodiments may exhibit attachment configurations 26 _(X) and 26 _(Y) with each found on projecting perimeter lips 24. It will be noted that upper perimeter lip 24 of capacity adding unit 50 creates a diameter A₂ in capacity adding unit 50 that is smaller than diameter A₁ of the body 55 of capacity adding unit 50.

As shown in FIG. 7, configured in the upper-most capacity-adding unit 50 of the figure is perimeter lip 24 configured with an attachment configuration exhibiting slot 40 and channel 42 to accept tab 54 on either another capacity-adding unit 50 or, as shown, a top unit 30 as shown in FIG. 7. Depicted top unit 30 includes a functional end 28 which is a sports top nozzle 29 and a finger ring 41 although no particular configuration should be implied as this should be understood to be merely an example of one of the many configurations of functional tops used with combination bottle 60.

FIG. 8 depicts a base unit 20 with capacity 21 having an attachment configuration 26 _(X) exhibited on its perimeter lip 24. Depicted combination bottle 60 includes base unit 20 and capacity-adding unit 50 with capacity 51 and, as illustrated, top unit 30 having attachment configuration 26 _(Y) that mates with attachment configuration 26 _(X) of unit 50. Top unit 30 includes a separable cap 30 ₈ configured with a functional unit 28 which is an adult suction functional end 33 to provide a sealed container until suction is applied to top unit 30.

It will be appreciated that because diameter B is less than diameter A₁ this results in combination bottle 60 a neck of smaller diameter and shown height C which may provide a convenient hand-hold in bottle 60. Surface 54 of mid-level capacity-adding unit 50 of FIG. 8 is shown in a planar configuration which creates a bottom surface on that capacity-adding unit 50 which provides added stability between the constituent units. For added leak prevention, an optional washer may be employed to enhance the fit between capacity-adding unit 50 and base unit 20 or another capacity-adding unit 50 with which it is mated through the mating of respective attachment configurations 26 _(X) and 26 _(Y).

FIG. 9 depicts a double-walled construction that may be employed in configurations employed with fluids that are preferably maintained in temperature. Space 51 between walls 53 is preferably air but may be partial vacuum or even filled with argon or other insulative gas as those of skill will appreciate. Thus, combination bottles that provide improved thermal stability with safe materials while offering flexible capacities and utility are provided by such embodiments.

FIG. 10 depicts another exemplar embodiment from a combination bottle system having locking components. Combination bottle 1060 is shown assembled in the form of a child's sippy cup having a base unit 1020, a capacity adding unit 1050, and a top unit 1030. Top unit 1030 has a sippy-cup functional end 1028. Top unit 1030 screws and snaps into capacity adding unit 1050 for easy assembly and prevention of unintentional disassembly. To remove top unit 1030, the user is required operate release mechanism 1052 to be able to unscrew top unit 1030 from capacity adding unit 1050. Release mechanism 1052 is preferably adapted so that an adult can operate the release mechanism, but a young child (i.e., sippy-cup aged) would have difficulty operating the release mechanism. For example, release mechanism 1052 can comprise a button the user must push while at the same time twisting top unit 1030 and capacity adding unit 1050 relative to each other to unscrew them. Pressing the button while twisting can make it more difficult for a young child to separate top unit 1030 from capacity adding unit 1050. Pressing the button while twisting can make it more difficult for the top unit 1030 from capacity adding unit 1050 to accidentally come apart and leak when being carried in a bag. Alternatively, the button can be biased in such a way that the force required to press it sufficiently to unlock top unit 1030 and capacity adding unit 1050 would be difficult for a young child.

Similarly, capacity adding unit 1050 screws and snaps into base unit 1020 for easy assembly and prevention of unintentional disassembly. To remove capacity adding unit 1050, the user is required operate release mechanism 1022 to be able to unscrew capacity adding unit 1050 from base unit 1020. Release mechanism 1022 is preferably adapted so that an adult can operate the release mechanism, but a young child (i.e., sippy-cup aged) would have difficulty operating the release mechanism. For example, release mechanism 1022 can comprise a button the user must push while twisting top unit 1030 and capacity adding unit 1050 relative to each other to unscrew them. In a preferred embodiment, the means of connecting and locking/unlocking top unit 1030 with capacity adding unit 1050 via release mechanism 1052 and the means of connecting and locking/unlocking capacity adding unit 1050 with base unit 1020 via release mechanism 1022 are the same and/or compatible with each other. This would enable multiple capacity adding unit to be added or removed as needed, and top units with different functional ends to be substituted for each other. When capacity adding units are not needed, top unit 1030 can be directly connected to and locked into place with base unit 1020.

FIG. 11 depicts another embodiment from a combination bottle system in which a capacity adding unit includes a design element. Combination bottle 1160 is shown assembled in the form of a sports bottle having a base unit 1120, a capacity adding unit 1050, a capacity adding unit 1051 including design element 1153, and a top unit 1130. Top unit 1130 has a sports bottle functional end 1128. Top unit 1130 connects to capacity adding unit 1150. Capacity adding unit 1150 connects to capacity adding unit 1151. Capacity adding unit 1151 connects to base unit 1120. Capacity adding unit 1151 includes design element 1153. Design element 1153 can be used to customize combination bottle 1160 in accordance with the user's preferences. In this example, design element 1153 includes a high school logo that can be used to show school pride. Other design elements can include other words, pictures, logos, or a color or combination of colors. In one exemplary embodiment, capacity adding unit 1150 and base unit 1120 can be made of stainless steel for ruggedization. Capacity adding unit 1151 can be made of colored plastic. Top unit 1130 can be made of plastic of matching or complementing color.

FIG. 12 depicts a combination bottle system embodied as a kit that includes compatible and interchangeable parts to form a variety of bottle combinations having different functions and capacities. Combination bottle system 1200 includes at least one top unit having a functional end and at least one base unit. A preferred embodiment also includes at least one capacity adding unit. The exemplary embodiment of combination bottle system 1200 shown in FIG. 12 includes top unit 1230 a having functional end 1228 a, top unit 1230 b having functional end 1228 b, capacity adding unit 1251 a having design element 1253 a, capacity adding unit 1251 b having design element 1253 b, capacity adding unit 1251 c having design element 1253 c, and base unit 1220. The combination bottle system can be packaged as a kit or parts can be selected by the user from a vendor that sells components for the combination bottle system. Combination bottle system 1200 can include design element 1203 that can be indicative of the personalization of the combination bottle system.

In the example shown FIG. 12, combination bottle system 1200 is packaged as a kit suited to function as a gift for a student entering high school. The student participates in band and soccer and will graduate in the year 2022. Design elements 1253 a, 1253 b, and 1253 c can be selected to personalize combination bottle system 1200 to the student receiving the gift (e.g., 1253 a is “SHS BAND”, 1253 b is “SHS SOCCER”, 1253 c is “SHS CLASS OF 2022”). Functional ends 1228 a and 1228 b of top units 1230 a and 1230 b can be selected for what might be commonly used by a high school student (e.g., sports bottle functional end 1228 a and spill-resistant beverage lid 1228 b). Optional design element 1203 displays a gift message that is indicative of the personalization of the combination bottle system (“WELCOME TO SPRINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL”). The student can replace or combine capacity adding units 1251 a-c to indicate the personalization the student wants. For example, on a band trip the student might use capacity adding unit 1251 a with “SHS BAND” design element 1253 a. For soccer practice, the student might use two capacity adding units for extra hydration: capacity adding unit 1251 b with “SHS SOCCER” design element 1253 b, capacity adding unit 1251 c with “SHS CLASS OF 2022” design element 1253 c. The student may collect other capacity adding units customized to their interests.

FIG. 13 depicts another combination bottle system embodied as a kit that includes compatible and interchangeable parts to form a variety of bottle combinations having different functions and capacities. The exemplary embodiment of combination bottle system 1300 shown in FIG. 13 includes top unit 1330 a having functional end 1328 a, top unit 1330 b having functional end 1328 b, top unit 1330 c having functional end 1328 c, capacity adding unit 1351 a having release mechanism 1352 a, capacity adding unit 1351 b having design element 1353 b, capacity adding unit 1351 c having design element 1353 c, and base unit 1320. The combination bottle system can be packaged as a kit or parts can be selected by the user from a vendor that sells components for the combination bottle system. Combination bottle system 1300 can include design element 1303 that can be indicative of the personalization of the combination bottle system.

In the example shown FIG. 13, combination bottle system 1300 is packaged as a kit suited to function as a gift for a baby shower. Functional ends 1328 a, 1328 b, and 1328 c of top units 1330 a, 1330 b, and 1328 c can be selected for what a baby would need as the baby grows into a young child (e.g., baby bottle nipple 1328 a, a sippy cup end 1328 b, and a straw cup end 1328 c). Multiple capacity adding units 1351 a, 1351 b, and 1351 c are included in combination bottle system 1300 so that capacity can be added to the system as needed (e.g., as the baby grows older). Multiple capacity adding units 1351 a, 1351 b, and 1351 c can be provided in different colors. The different colors can be used to differentiate bottle contents (e.g., white=formula, yellow=juice, etc.). The different colors can be used to indicate the volume added by the capacity adding units (e.g., white=4 ounces, pink=6 ounces, blue=8 ounces, etc.). Multiple capacity adding units 1351 a, 1351 b, and 1351 c include release mechanisms 1352 a, 1352 b, and 1352 c. Release mechanisms 1352 a, 1352 b, and 1352 c are preferably adapted so that an adult can operate the release mechanism, but a baby or young child would have difficulty operating the release mechanism. This would prevent or reduce the ability of the baby or young child to separate the bottle components and cause a spill. Optional design element 1303 can display a gift message that is indicative of the personalization of the combination bottle system (“CONGRATUATIONS, IT'S A GIRL!”).

FIGS. 12 and 13 are merely schematic diagrams showing exemplary contents of kits in accordance with combination bottle systems 1200 and 1300. The diagrams are not intended to indicate the actual appearance of the kits or the arrangement of items within. That is, the kits may be embodied in any form of standard packaging for similar products. Further, the user may pick and choose which items to include in the combination bottle system. For example, the user may pick and choose among mix-and-match items offered from a vendor and assemble their own combination bottle system in lieu of purchasing a pre-prepared kit.

Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for assembling a combination bottle from a combination bottle system and changing the capacity (volume) of the combination bottle “on-the-go” by interchanging components of the combination bottle system. FIG. 14 shows an exemplary method of assembling a combination bottle system. The method includes a user selecting a base unit (step 1502) and a top unit (step 1504) having a functional end adapted for the user's particular application (e.g., baby bottle nipples, baby spouts, straw tops, coffee tops, spray nozzles, sports top, flip top, etc.). The user then determines whether the combined volume of the base unit and top unit in assembly is sufficient for the user's particular application (step 1506). If the combined volume of the base unit and top unit in assembly is sufficient for the user's particular application, then the base unit and the top unit are connected in accordance with the type of attachment configurations of the base unit and the top unit (step 1508). For example, if the top unit and the base unit are threaded, then the top unit and the base unit are screwed together to form a leak-resistant seal. If the combined volume of the base unit and top unit in assembly is not sufficient for the user's particular application, then the user can select one or more capacity adding units are selected so that the combined volume of the base unit, the top unit, and the capacity adding unit(s) is sufficient for the user's needs (steps 1510 and 1512). The capacity adding units are then disposed between the top unit and the base unit in a manner that provides a leak-resistant coupling between each unit and whereby fluid is able to communicate through the top unit, the capacity adding unit(s), and the base unit in assembly (step 1514). If more than one capacity adding unit is used in the bottle assembly, then the capacity adding units are coupled to each other. The top unit is coupled to an uncoupled end of the assembled capacity adding units. The base unit is coupled to the other uncoupled end of the assembled capacity adding units. Multiple components can be kept with the user of the combination bottle system (for example in a carrying bag, diaper bag, gym bag, purse, backpack, etc.) to provide the ability to make rapid “on-the-go” changes to the bottle assembly as the user's needs change (e.g., a coffee cup can be quickly changed into a sports bottle having a large capacity).

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps. 

We claim as follows:
 1. A combination bottle system comprising: a base container unit configured to retain liquids, the base container unit having an open mouth with a base unit perimeter lip having an attachment configuration; a capacity-adding unit configured to retain liquids, the capacity-adding unit having a first perimeter lip having a first attachment configuration, the first attachment configuration of the first perimeter lip and the attachment configuration of the base unit perimeter lip being mateable with each other, the capacity-adding unit having a second perimeter lip having a second attachment configuration; and a top unit having a top unit perimeter lip having a top unit attachment configuration mateable with the second attachment configuration of the second perimeter lip of the capacity-adding unit.
 2. The combination bottle system of claim 1 in which the material comprising each of the top unit, the base container unit and the capacity adding unit are selected from a group of materials consisting of: stainless steel, aluminum, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), copolyester, glass, polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile styrene (AS), bio based polymers, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), bisphenol A (BPA), polyester (PES), acrylic, bamboo, melamine, and polyamide (PA).
 3. The combination bottle system of claim 1 in which the top unit exhibits a functional end selected from the group of: sippy cup functional end, straw functional end, nipple functional end, sports functional end, coffee top functional end and open lipped functional end
 4. The combination bottle system of any of claim 1 in which the attachment configuration of the base unit perimeter lip, the first attachment configuration of the first perimeter lip of the capacity-adding unit and the second attachment configuration of the second perimeter lip of the capacity-adding unit are each of the same type.
 5. The combination bottle system of claim 2 in which the attachment configuration of the base unit perimeter lip, the first attachment configuration of the first perimeter lip of the capacity-adding unit and the second attachment configuration of the second perimeter lip of the capacity-adding unit are each of the same type.
 6. The combination bottle system of claim 1 in which the top unit comprises a shell and said top unit exhibits a nipple functional end separable from the shell of the top unit.
 7. The combination bottle system of claim 1 in which the top unit exhibits an integral nipple functional end.
 8. The combination bottle system of claim 1 in which the first perimeter lip of the capacity-adding unit and the base unit perimeter lip of the base unit are each configured with a projecting configuration so that when the first attachment configuration of the first perimeter lip of the capacity-adding unit and the attachment configuration of the base unit perimeter lip are mated, the combination bottle exhibits a neck having a neck diameter smaller than the diameter of the base unit.
 9. A combination bottle system comprising: a base container unit configured to retain liquids, the base container unit having an open mouth with a base unit perimeter lip having an attachment configuration; and first and second top units, each of said first and second top units having a top unit perimeter lip having an attachment configuration mateable with the attachment configuration of the base unit perimeter lip, said first and second top units each exhibiting a different functional end.
 10. The combination bottle system of claim 8 in which the functional ends of the first and second units are selected from the group of: sippy cup functional end, straw functional end, nipple functional end, sports functional end, and open lipped functional end.
 11. The combination bottle system of claim 8 in which the first top unit exhibits a nipple functional end that is separable from a shell of said first top unit.
 12. A combination bottle system comprising: a base container unit configured to retain liquids, the base container unit having an open mouth with a base unit perimeter lip having an attachment configuration; a first capacity-adding unit configured to retain liquids, the first capacity-adding unit having a first perimeter lip having a first attachment configuration and a second perimeter lip having a second attachment configuration, the attachment configuration of the base unit perimeter lip being mateable with the first attachment configuration of the first perimeter lip or the second attachment configuration of the second attachment lip; and a second capacity-adding unit configured to retain liquids, the second capacity adding unit having a primary second capacity-adding unit perimeter lip having a third attachment configuration, the third attachment configuration being mateable with the attachment configuration of the base unit perimeter lip or the first or second attachment configurations of the respective perimeter lips of the first capacity-adding unit.
 13. The combination bottle system of claim 12 in which the first and second capacity adding units are comprised from materials from a group of materials: stainless steel, aluminum, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), copolyester, glass, polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile styrene (AS), bio based polymers, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), bisphenol A (BPA), polyester (PES), acrylic, bamboo, melamine, and polyamide (PA).
 14. The combination bottle system of claim 13 further comprising a top unit, the top unit having a top unit perimeter lip, said top unit having a top unit attachment configuration mateable with the attachment configuration of the base unit perimeter lip or the first attachment configuration of the first perimeter lip or the second attachment configuration of the second perimeter lip of the first capacity-adding unit.
 15. The combination bottle system of claim 14 in which the top unit exhibits a functional end, said functional end being selected from the group of: sippy cup functional end, nipple functional end, and straw functional end.
 16. The combination bottle system of claim 14 in which the top unit comprises a shell and a separable functional end.
 17. The combination bottle system of claim 12 further comprising: first and second top units, the first top unit having a first top unit perimeter lip having a first top unit attachment configuration mateable with the attachment configuration of the base unit perimeter lip or the first, second, or third attachment configurations and said second top unit having a second top unit perimeter lip having a second top unit attachment configuration said first and second top units each exhibiting a functional end.
 18. The combination bottle system of claim 17 in which said first and second top units each have a functional end selected from the group of functional ends including sippy cup functional end, straw cup functional end and nipple cup functional end.
 19. The combination bottle system of claim 18 in which the functional ends of the respective first and second top units each exhibit a different function. 20-27. (canceled) 